Amur Falcon migration update: Tagged raptor Alang crosses Arabian Sea on 6000 km journey

NEW DELHI, May 16, 2026 — Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav shared a significant update on X regarding the ongoing conservation and migration tracking of Amur Falcons.

Three of these long-distance migratory raptors were satellite-tagged in November 2025 at their stopover site in Chiuluan, located in the Tamenglong district of Manipur. This tagging initiative is part of a decade-long conservation effort dedicated to protecting the species in Northeast India.

After spending more than four months in their non-breeding grounds across Southern Africa, two of the satellite-tagged Amur Falcons have commenced their spring migration. They are currently flying back to their breeding regions in Far-East Asia by way of India.

This remarkable journey includes a grueling, non-stop flight of nearly 6,000 kilometers over six days as they cross the expanse from Somalia to Northeast India.Among the tracked birds, a young female named Alang is currently making her way toward the west coast of India. She began her crossing of the Arabian Sea early yesterday morning from the Somali coast.

Assisted by favorable tailwinds, Alang is expected to complete this oceanic leg of her journey in a three-day non-stop flight.The monitoring project is funded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and stands out as one of the most successful community-led conservation initiatives in the country.

The data gathered through this project has provided valuable insights into the behavior of these small, trans-hemispheric migrants, helping to guide future management and protection strategies for the species.